Solar Energy Potential at Nishihashimoto, Kanagawa, Japan

Nishihashimoto, Kanagawa, Japan, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers reasonable conditions for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy generation throughout the year, though with notable seasonal variations. This location experiences distinct energy production patterns across the four seasons that potential solar adopters should consider. The solar energy potential shows significant seasonal fluctuations. Summer stands out as the most productive period, generating approximately 5.27kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 5.22kWh/day per installed kilowatt. Energy production decreases considerably during autumn and winter, dropping to 3.56kWh/day and 3.44kWh/day respectively.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Nishihashimoto, Kanagawa, the ideal angle to maximize year-round energy production is 33 degrees facing South. This carefully calculated tilt optimizes solar capture throughout the changing seasons, balancing the higher summer sun angles with the lower winter sun position.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors in Nishihashimoto may impact solar energy production:

• Japan's rainy season (typically June-July) can reduce solar output during what would otherwise be peak production months
• Typhoon risk in late summer and early autumn presents potential for physical damage to installations
• Winter snowfall may temporarily cover panels, though accumulation is generally not severe in this region
• Urban air pollution can diminish solar irradiance reaching panels

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Nishihashimoto should incorporate strong mounting systems capable of withstanding typhoon-force winds. Self-cleaning panel technologies or regular maintenance schedules help address both pollution buildup and occasional snow coverage. Additionally, slightly steeper panel angles than the optimal 33 degrees might be considered if winter production is particularly important, as this promotes snow shedding and improves winter capture, though at some cost to annual totals. The seasonal data indicates that focusing on maximizing system efficiency during spring and summer would yield the greatest returns, as these seasons provide nearly 50% more daily energy than autumn and winter periods.

Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 187 locations across Japan. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Japan by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Nishihashimoto

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.5956, Longitude: 139.3366 (Nishihashimoto, Japan), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:

 

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 33° South in Nishihashimoto, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Nishihashimoto, Japan (Lat/Long 35.5956, 139.3366) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° South for fixed panel installations.

As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.

We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Nishihashimoto, Japan

If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Nishihashimoto, Japan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
20° South in Summer	41° South in Autumn	50° South in Winter	29° South in Spring

Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.

This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.

Calculate solar panel row spacing in Nishihashimoto, Japan

We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Nishihashimoto, Japan.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. Minimum Spacing:
   We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.

This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.

Topography for solar PV around Nishihashimoto, Japan

The topography around Nishihashimoto, Japan presents a varied landscape characteristic of the western suburbs of Tokyo metropolitan area. Located in Kanagawa Prefecture, this area lies within the Tama Hills (Tama Kyuryo), a region of rolling hills and valleys that forms a natural boundary between the Kanto Plain and the mountainous regions to the west.

Topographical Features

Nishihashimoto sits at an elevation of approximately 80-100 meters above sea level. The surrounding terrain consists of moderate hills interspersed with small valleys and plateaus. These hills generally range from 100 to 200 meters in height, creating a gently undulating landscape. The area has been shaped by the erosion of ancient sedimentary layers, resulting in the characteristic hill-valley formations visible today. To the north and west of Nishihashimoto, the elevation gradually increases as the terrain transitions toward the more mountainous regions of western Tokyo and Yamanashi Prefecture. The Tama River flows relatively nearby to the north, carving a wider valley through the hilly terrain. The local topography has been significantly modified by human development, with hillsides terraced for residential areas and valleys filled to create level ground for infrastructure. Despite this urbanization, pockets of forested areas remain, particularly on steeper slopes that were less suitable for development.

Solar PV Potential Areas

Several nearby areas show promise for largescale solar PV development, though significant challenges exist due to the urban nature of the region and limited available land. The southern-facing slopes of hills around Nishihashimoto present moderate potential for solar installations. These areas receive substantial solar radiation throughout the year due to their favorable orientation. Particularly, the more open areas to the southwest of Nishihashimoto, where some less developed land exists, could accommodate solar arrays if properly designed to work with the sloping terrain. Former agricultural plateaus in the broader Tama Hills region that have not been fully developed for housing might offer flat areas suitable for solar installation. Some of these exist within 5-10 kilometers of Nishihashimoto, particularly in less densely populated sections moving westward. Industrial zones and commercial districts with large rooftops present another opportunity. The neighboring areas of Machida and parts of Sagamihara contain industrial facilities with extensive roof space that could be retrofitted for solar PV without requiring additional land use. The challenges for largescale solar development include the region's high population density, premium land values, and the fragmented nature of available open space. Any significant solar installation would likely need to be distributed across multiple smaller sites rather than concentrated in a single large facility. Additionally, the hilly terrain would require careful engineering to maximize solar exposure while minimizing land alteration costs. The most promising approach may involve identifying brownfield sites, former industrial areas, or large commercial complexes within a 15-kilometer radius where solar installations could be integrated without competing with residential or agricultural land uses.

Japan solar PV Stats as a country

Japan ranks 3rd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 74,191 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 8.30% of Japan's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 9th in the world). Each year Japan is generating 590 Watts from solar PV per capita (Japan ranks 4th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Japan?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Japan. These include the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program, which provides a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar; subsidies and grants from local governments; tax credits; and loans with low interest rates. Additionally, businesses may be eligible for additional incentives depending on their location and type of installation.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Japan? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential

The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.

However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.

Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site

Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide

Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.